FOOD

“We are what we eat.” I said that to a lady once and she replied, “I don’t look like chicken nuggets.”
“But your insides do”, I answered. This was as difficult for the plump lady to swallow as the gristle on the chicken wings her young daughter was gnawing, her little mouth shiny from fried chicken fat.

Why these nice church-going people were eating out and not taking in what I was suggesting is not worth pursuing. The future never rests in why. That they went to the grocery store and passed by a produce market and did not buy nature’s most powerful medicine—fruits and vegetables was probably a consequence of habit and convenience. But I did not let the greasy menu smear the page I was on.

As a friend I felt compelled to share some information with her. Sitting in her immaculate, attractively designed living room, it occurred to me that some people take better care of their homes than they do their bodies. This same woman whose daily spending at the “Golden Arches” could have bought stock in the company boasted of the Aloe Vera, Dieffenbachia and Philodendron in her house to filter toxins, pollutants and carbon dioxide from the indoor air.

What about the toxins, pollutants and trans-fat she put into her body? Trans-fats are “partially hydrogenated” which means they are created by adding hydrogen to vegetables oils, making them toxic chemicals. Some researchers call them “silent killers.”

Pleasing to taste, these deceptively dangerous substances lurk undetected by our naïve palates in such treats as donuts, processed cheese, cold cuts and even some breads. Butchers will tell you fat provides the flavor in steak. We can then choose a leaner cut. What the manufacturers don’t tell you is fat in packaged cookies, cheese, chips and cake is the hydrogenated kind--unless the label indicates otherwise.

Read the labels.

Trans-fat should be less than 1% of total daily calories. Eat that big-o chocolate chip cookie once per month, the processed cheese in your macaroni less often than that. What about the hot, freshly bubbled-in-fat donuts? Dunk them. Where? The nearest trash can. We know you can’t eat just one.

The Fitness Gourmet motto is: “If you can’t wash it, don’t eat it.”

This free advice comes from Al Claiborne, the founder/owner of Fitness Gourmet. Register now for “Diet for Donuts” and receive a well-deserved reward: one (1) Krispy Crème delicacy of your choice when you complete each series of Faith, Fitness and Food, the Wellness Trinity.

FITNESS

Fitness is sometimes like success. You want it but the work to achieve it seems either too hard, will take too long or cost too much--and sometimes all of the above. Like your favorite cushy pillow, you become accustomed to your waist. Not succeeding can easily slide into your comfort zone. Habits are harder to break than make.

Most of us have a story to tell: how we use spandex to mash and shape, and loose tops to cover what nature can’t. What about grabbing the bull by the love handles and stepping out on—you guessed it—faith. “God is good” we glibly say. But are we good to God?

Don’t we, at the very least owe Him appreciation for a body that doesn’t cave in when we put too much into it or a heart that keeps pumping when we flop into “couch potato” sprawl night after night. Our body is a gift from God; keeping it healthy is our gift to Him.

Sign up for “Michelle Obama Arms” and more. Fit and Gourmet is the place to be. Al Claiborne has the regimen and recipe for success on your personal wellness journey.

FAITH

Faith can be as simple as getting out of bed—you believe the floor will support you; or as involved as surviving a flight to the Far East—you believe the plane will land at the Beijing Capital International Airport. Faith may be a part of your religious beliefs or a representation of your innate confidence.

Faith can also be factored into the belief that you can stay healthy with a lifestyle of salty snacks, “ketchupy” French fries, sugary sodas and no movement except to get where you’re going. How far you can go is another story.

Something as basic as water can trip you up. Did you ever think about the importance of water to your body? It is second only to oxygen in the list of life-sustaining elements. Do you drink everything but water when you’re thirsty? Drinking the recommended two quarts per day is like watering a drooping Peace Lily. You will bloom like a flower.

Our Creator made sure there was enough water. The Earth’s surface is in fact 70.8% water. He also led the way in acclimating us to water by having us grow in it for nine months. So why not expand the faith you don’t realize is operating as you live your current lifestyle? You can probably “talk the talk;” but need help to “walk the walk.”

FIT AND GOURMET will help you begin a new faith walk. Believe and receive with body builder, fitness expert and gourmet chef, Al Claiborne. Join the FIT-EFX (effects) Club—TODAY!